Oslo Sweater

The Oslo Sweater is a relaxed, lightweight sweater with dropped shoulders and a generous, easy fit.

It’s worked from the top down, beginning with the back yoke. Stitches are then picked up for each shoulder and worked separately before being joined to form the front.

The front and back are joined beneath the armholes, and the body is worked in the round with gentle shaping. The sleeves and neckline are added afterwards from picked-up stitches.

The finished sweater has a soft, uncomplicated shape that works particularly well with the light, airy fabric created by holding two fine yarns together.

Yarn notes

This pattern is designed to be knitted using two laceweight yarns held together.

Main yarn

Choose a fine laceweight yarn with approximately:

• 180–200 metres per 25 g

• A soft, lightweight construction

• Enough body to support the finished sweater

• A wool, alpaca or blended fibre suitable for garments

Companion yarn

Hold the main yarn together with one strand of laceweight silk mohair or another fine halo yarn with approximately:

• 210–225 metres per 25 g

Together, the two strands create a soft, light and slightly fluffy fabric with plenty of warmth but very little weight.

The most important thing is achieving the pattern gauge of 21 stitches over 10 cm on 4.5 mm needles.

Sizing

The Oslo Sweater is designed with approximately 20–25 cm of positive ease for a relaxed, oversized fit.

Sizes:
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL

Suggested body measurements

The sizes are designed to fit the following bust or widest upper-body measurements:

• XS: 80–85 cm

• S: 85–90 cm

• M: 90–95 cm

• L: 95–100 cm

• XL: 100–110 cm

• 2XL: 110–120 cm

• 3XL: 120–130 cm

Measure around your bust, stomach or the widest part of your upper body and choose the size that gives you approximately 20–25 cm of positive ease.

Finished measurements

Bust circumference

XS: 105 cm
S: 110 cm
M: 114 cm
L: 120 cm
XL: 130 cm
2XL: 140 cm
3XL: 150 cm

Finished length

Measured excluding the neck edge:

XS: 54 cm
S: 55 cm
M: 58 cm
L: 60 cm
XL: 62 cm
2XL: 64 cm
3XL: 66 cm

Yarn requirements

You will need the full amount listed for both strands.

Fine laceweight main yarn

Using a yarn with approximately 190 metres per 25 g:

• XS: approximately 950 m

• S: approximately 1,140 m

• M: approximately 1,330 m

• L: approximately 1,330 m

• XL: approximately 1,520 m

• 2XL: approximately 1,710 m

• 3XL: approximately 1,900 m

Laceweight mohair or halo yarn

Using a yarn with approximately 210–225 metres per 25 g:

• XS: approximately 1,050–1,125 m

• S: approximately 1,050–1,125 m

• M: approximately 1,050–1,350 m

• L: approximately 1,260–1,350 m

• XL: approximately 1,470–1,575 m

• 2XL: approximately 1,680–1,800 m

• 3XL: approximately 1,680–1,800 m

Always check the metreage on the yarn you are buying rather than relying only on the number or weight of the balls.

Consider purchasing extra yarn if you plan to lengthen the body or sleeves, are between sizes or would like plenty for swatching.

Gauge

21 stitches × 30 rows = 10 × 10 cm in stocking stitch on 4.5 mm needles.

Wash and dry your swatch before measuring it. Fine and fluffy yarn combinations can relax considerably after washing, which may change both the stitch gauge and the drape of the fabric.

Needles and notions

• 4.5 mm circular needles in approximately 60, 80 and/or 100 cm lengths

• 3.5 mm circular needle in approximately 80 or 100 cm length

• 3 mm circular needle in approximately 40 cm length

• 3.5 mm and 4.5 mm double-pointed needles, or long circular needles for Magic Loop

• Stitch markers

• Waste yarn or spare cables for holding stitches

• Tapestry needle

Difficulty

★★★★☆

Advanced intermediate

This pattern includes top-down shoulder construction, picking up stitches, working the shoulders separately, joining the yokes, body shaping and adding sleeves and the neckline afterwards.

A quick tip before you start

The Oslo Sweater gets much of its character from the light, airy fabric created by the two fine strands.

Try not to replace this combination with a heavy or dense yarn purely because it gives you the same stitch gauge. A heavier yarn may make the dropped shoulders and oversized body feel bulky rather than relaxed.

When choosing a substitute, compare both the metreage and the finished swatch. You are looking for a fabric that feels light, soft and fluid while still holding its shape.